Top: more luxurious than the old 470 van, Benjamin’s IOD crew are towed back in to Newport, and (left) leading a race at the 1984 470 Worlds in New Zealand that were won by Dave Barnes and Hamish Willcox. Above: among the placings at the 1978 Yale Corinthian winter regatta, Neff (5th), Benjamin (6), Isler (7), McKee (14), Perry (17), Dave Kellog (20) and future Finn champion Alex Smigelski (23rd… and last)
representing Ullman, then Banks Sails in both a sales and production role, and then much later on switching to North. His interest in sails came as it did for
many, an organic appreciation of how shapes and materials influenced speed on his own boats. His programmes were always well-equipped with fast sails, so he knew the importance of design and development. Throughout his days in 470s, Fireballs
and 505s Benj enjoyed good relations with Peter Conrad from Sobstad, Dave Ullman and others, but he said he was particularly impressed with Ken Rose from Banks Sails. ‘Ken was using what now look like
primitive tools based on the use of a valve computer from the 1960s,’ Benj says, ‘but they were very effective in producing consistency in shaping.’ This was impor- tant because once a fast shape was found
the next challenge was to accurately and consistently reproduce that shape, without the benefit of modern laser cutters guided by digital files (sailmakers of this era often relied on mylar templates for this purpose). So Benj made inquiries on what was
needed to start his own sail loft and finally opened Banks Sails USA in 1988 in Oyster Bay. His philosophy was to keep a hand in grand prix sailing when the opportunities were right, but to really focus on his local customer base at home, to develop with them the level of trust that would keep them loyal in a competitive marketplace like Long Island Sound where there were plenty of very able rivals. ‘It was hard work, a real balancing act,’
he said. ‘I would sail with my loft cus- tomers during the week in the evening races, and then with the serious grand prix
customers like Bob Towse at weekends. This was a real change for me, and one where I could not focus much any more on my own sailing.’ There was change too on the home front:
Benj married Heidi Zeigler, an accom- plished sailor in her own right who had also campaigned for an Olympic berth in the 470 Women’s competition. Zeigler’s family from Darien, Connecticut were also well known on the big boat scene on various boats called Gem. Their partnership has proved strong and sustainable through many changes and challenges and remains a source of admiration – and pleasure – to those of us who know them both well. Part II: Building the business, wracking up the miles, and the trophies, and easing towards an anomalously active retire- ment… Really?
q SEAHORSE 39
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